Enfield council withdraws from government new towns programme
The Story
Enfield council in north London has withdrawn from the government’s new towns programme, a move that affects plans to build 21,000 homes on green belt land. The decision was made by the new minority Conservative-led administration, which won control of the council in local elections earlier this month. The project was selected for the programme in March along with six other locations across England.
Key Facts
- Enfield council has formally withdrawn from the government’s new towns programme.
- The project involved building 21,000 homes at Crews Hill and Chase Park on green belt land.
- The council is now led by a minority Conservative administration under Councillor Alessandro Georgiou.
- Georgiou sent a letter to housing and planning minister Matthew Pennycook notifying him of the withdrawal.
- The council previously supported the proposal under Labour control but Labour lost the council in local elections earlier this month.
- The Conservatives promised during the election campaign to halt the development.
- Local opposition included concerns about building on green belt land occupied by garden centres and family-run businesses.
- Enfield council owns 30% of the land in the borough; most private landowners did not want to sell, according to Nina Barnes, owner of the Culver garden centre site.
- Barnes welcomed the withdrawal, stating it ended uncertainty for businesses.
- The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) stated its landmark national new towns programme will continue and that it will respond to the consultation in due course.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
No open questions identified in the source article.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Alessandro Georgiou, leader of Enfield’s minority Conservative administration
- Matthew Pennycook, minister for housing and planning
- Nina Barnes, owner of Culver garden centre site at Crews Hill
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) spokesperson
Sources: The Guardian
